From cartomancy to cartospection

A few thoughts on using cards for introspection.

[1] Throughout history, people have used cards for divination (cartomancy). They believed in gods and destiny because they didn’t fully understand their own agency so they sought answers from external forces.

Today, we have a better understanding of psychology and human behavior. Instead of trying to predict fate, cards can help us uncover our motivations and emotions. A deck of cards can serve as a tool for introspection and self-knowledge.

By using cards to explore their instinctive responses to imagery and develop their intuition, one can explore their inner world and gain insights into our own minds – a shift from seeking external answers to looking within.

[2] I‘m reminded of the Rorschach Test, which uses inkblots to explore a person‘s perceptions and thoughts. Like the Rorschach Test, using cards allows you to project your inner thoughts and feelings onto the images you see. This process can reveal the subconscious and providing insights into one’s psyche.

[3] Much like journaling prompts, using cards for introspection can prompt thoughts and feelings / trigger associations we might not explore otherwise unprompted. Similar to journaling prompts that can help reflect on overlooked aspects of our lives cards.

[4] Maybe also a meditative aspect, similar to other traditions of meditating on an image? e.g., icon gazing in Christianity (”visio divina“) or Tibetan thangka meditation.

[5] Role of archetypes? Many people find archetypes useful to understand their own psychology, which might explain the popularity of Tarot cards. Quite similar to Jungian archetypes - it would be interesting to map these, e.g., the Mother, the Fool, the Shadow.

[6] Potential therapeutic applications when used solo; structured way to explore one’s thoughts and feelings independently; reflecting on the images and symbols to gain insights into one’s emotional state and subconscious mind.

[7] Counter: one might argue that any kind of cards/prompts could work for introspection. But tarot cards are might be particularly good for this due to their rich archetypal imagery/symbolism. Each card can be interpreted in many ways which allows to project your thoughts and emotions onto them. This creates a dialogue with the cards – like a mirror of the subconscious; the essence of self-reflection.